Jack returned to the saddle. Under his supervision all the equipment in the stables was kept at the highest standard but when Sir Oliver was in one of his bad moods he occasionally found fault. The mood he was in nowadays meant he found them often. He bawled Jack out each time, threatening that if he was not capable of the duties of his post as head groom over Conan and Michael he could soon find himself working under a more able man. His feelings cut to the quick at the injustice, Jack decided to give every item in the tack room a thorough cleaning himself.

The door was firmly shut but Jack thought he heard it banging again until he realised someone was knocking on it and he heard a small voice call his name. Rushing to open it he found Olivia and Ameline on the other side.

‘Begging your pardon, Miss Olivia, Miss Ameline, I thought ’twas the wind.’ Jack was most surprised to see Ameline Beswetherick there.

Olivia ran to Reeth and gently put her arms round him. Ameline stepped into the tack room quickly to be out of the rain and wrinkled her nose at the strong smells of horses, leather and polish.

‘How is the little doggie… um…?’Ameline called all servants by their surnames but as she had not heard Jack called by any other name she didn’t know what his was but she couldn’t bring herself to call him Jack. That would be too familiar.

‘He’s getting better slowly, miss,’ he replied, embarrassed by her presence.

‘See, Ameline,’ Olivia clapped her hands excitedly. ‘Reeth ate the biscuit. I told you he would. Father will be pleased.’

‘Oh… excellent,’ Ameline said, gingerly moving forward to view the dog with a precautionary gloved hand held to her face.

‘He won’t bite you, Ameline,’ Olivia said crossly. ‘He is ill, you know.’

‘Don’t be rude, Olivia!’ Ameline retaliated.

‘He knows you bake a good biscuit, Miss Olivia,’ Jack said indulgently.

‘Come away, Olivia.’ Ameline reached for her hand. ‘The doggie needs his rest and… um… needs to get on with his work.’

‘But I want to stay,’ Olivia protested. ‘I won’t get in Jack’s way. I often watch him work.’

‘You must learn not to argue with your elders,’ Ameline retorted. ‘Come along at once, Olivia.’

‘Oh, don’t be so prissy!’ Olivia returned loudly.

Jack turned his head as he felt a big smile coming on.

‘You spend too much time in the kitchen sitting on the lap of that repugnant woman!’ Ameline stamped off in a huff, leaving behind the threat, ‘I shall talk to your mother.’